There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Mozzie

G'Day, folks!

Hope you're all keeping safe and well.

In light of this era of teletherapy and online learning, I'm sharing some creative ways to engage our kiddo's in reading and address their speech and language goals. I have filmed a read-aloud of a popular Australian-themed story titled There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Mozzie by P. Crumble and Louis Shea. It includes a couple of fun challenges that target language and literacy skills, and a surprise guest appearance at the end!

Feel free to share it with your kiddo's and use in your lesson plans if you see fit. Here is the Youtube link to access the read-aloud:  https://youtu.be/_OH9oGHguaU

Cheers!

Maree

Certification in Two Countries: To Keep or Not to Keep?

That is the question.

Hi, folks!

When moving abroad, people who work in the Allied Health field want to know if it is worthwhile not only transferring credentials internationally, but also maintaining professional certification and license to practice in their home country.

When I moved to America, I renewed my certification and membership with Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) each year. Since moving back to Australia, I have maintained my certification with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and renewed my Florida state licensure.

Feeding Time on Siesta Key 
Florida, USA
Photo taken by Maree Richardson

Downside:

• Expensive! It costs me about $937 AUD ($647 USD) per year to maintain all three  certifications/licenses.
• Time consuming to update professional development hours and check progress toward compliance for three certifications/licenses. After I complete a training course, I login to three different websites to enter the information, as each association has their own requirements.

Upside:

• Freedom of moving between countries and being allowed to work right away. This makes it easier to find a job and reduces financial stress. You don’t have to repeat the laborious and costly application process for certification. You're ready to go!
• Although expensive, certification/license fees are due at different times of the year, which means you can budget and don’t have to "fork out" all the money at once. SPA fees are due by end of June, whereas ASHA and Florida state license fees are due by end of December.
• You can apply the same professional development hours to all certifications/licenses. For example, speechpathology.com offers unlimited, online continuing education courses which are recognised by all three professional associations who I am certified/licensed with. 

So, is it worth it? 

For now, yes. The advantages currently outweigh the disadvantages.

I’m interested to hear your thoughts on this topic. Feel free to comment below.

Cheers!

Maree

Downsizing! Packing Up Our First Home

Hi, folks!

With just 6 over-sized suitcases in tow, we have packed up our lives!

After living in Florida for the past 6 years, and owning our own home for 5 of those years, we had accumulated quite a lot of stuff: a kayak, kayak racks, snorkeling gear, tennis equipment, beach umbrellas, beach chairs, coolers, pool floaties ... Can you tell we lived in Florida?!

Calm Before the Storm (Long Exposure)
Sarasota, Florida, USA
Photo taken my Maree Richardson

We are both people who enjoy a tidy house. Thanks to The Minimalists podcast, I have learnt to appreciate which items have a purpose and bring value to our lives. Some of our Airbnb guests described our house as "minimalist" and were inspired to adapt their homes in a similar fashion. Overall, we were feeling pretty confident that we had everything under control for the big move.

But boy, we were wrong!

The past couple of months have been emotionally, mentally and physically draining. We started to downsize our items about two months prior to the move. It was only in the final two weeks that we began to feel a little "behind", realizing just how much was left to go. We still had to find potential renters (as we decided to turn our property into a long-term rental), prioritize which items to bring, decide what to do with leftover items (e.g., sell, donate, store, give away), and clean the whole house in preparation for rental inspections. All while working full-time jobs!

Goodbye, Home!
Sarasota, Florida, USA
Photo taken by Maree Richardson

We stayed up late on the last night scrubbing the bathrooms, awoke early to clean out the refrigerator, and were still packing and re-packing our bags to the last minute. You know how people in the movies sit on their suitcases to try to get them closed? Yep, that was us!

Before leaving, we walked around our empty house and thanked the space for all of the memories. We took a last minute photo, and managed to squeeze all of the bags into the back of the car. Our Tetris skills leave a lot to be desired!

For me, the most emotional part was explaining the move to my wonderful students. Their reactions were variable. Some of them nodded their heads and moved on quickly, asking "Can we play the game, now?", while others were upset and required some consoling. Fortunately, the sweet Speech Language Pathologist who took my position shadowed me for a couple of days and got to meet most of the students, which helped ease the transition.

Reflections (Long Exposure)
Sarasota, Florida, USA
Photo taken by Maree Richardson

What was also brought to my attention were the beautiful relationships I have made in this part of the world: colleagues, clients, friends, and people who I now call family. As life unfolded over the course of 6 years, some pretty special, lifelong friendships were created. For that, I am very grateful.

So ... where did we move to? That's a story for another time. 😉

Until then, have a great week!

Maree

Life Update 2019

Hi, folks!

It has been awhile since I've updated you on my whereabouts. The last time was in 2017, and the time before that was in 2015.  Apparently I like odd numbers.

We are still in Florida, enjoying the sunshine, palm trees, and occasional hurricane. In 2017, Hurricane Irma, the strongest hurricane in terms of maximum sustained winds in the Atlantic, unbecomingly graced us with her presence. We evacuated our home for a few days, and then returned to repair the damage and clean up the debris.

Surprised Greg with a picnic in the spot where he proposed a few years ago.
Location: Sarasota, Florida, USA
Photo credit: camera, tripod and 10-sec timer. 

In 2017, Greg underwent spinal surgery. The hospital health care team had him up and walking that same day, and he has since recovered well, accompanied by a cute little tail (scar) on his lower back. I have also had ongoing lower back issues, so we are both taking life a little slower these days. Yoga, stretching, and hiking have become our new best friends. While we're on the topic of surgery, I recently had all four wisdom teeth removed. Fun times!

My journey as a Speech Language Pathologist transitioned to a school-based setting. If you're interested, here are links to read about how to transfer degrees/licenses internationally and obtaining state licensure in America. I'm currently placed at an Elementary (Primary) School and Preschool, providing assessment and therapy for the communication needs of school-aged children from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds. Learning to cater to varying needs in small-group settings, rather than on an individual basis, has been a challenge. A shorter commute, an opportunity to brush up on my Spanish skills, and developing relationships with my sweet kiddo's has been a blessing. Oh, and the school holiday schedule is a bonus. 😉

A couple of 2017 highlights included a fleeting trip to Australia to visit family, friends, and a special mother-daughter trip to Tasmania, Australia. In December of that year I officially became a U.S. Citizen, and am now honored to officially call myself a dual citizen of Australia and America. If interested, you can read about my transition from Resident to Citizen. 

Location: Honeymoon Bay, Tasmania, Australia
Photo credit: Maree Richardson

2018 was the year of adventure: a road trip through the Wild West, hiking various National Parks and Monuments in Texas and New Mexico; a bridesmaid for my bestie's wedding; a wonderful mother-daughter trip through the forests, oceans, and delectable wine country in south-west Western Australia; roughed it through our "first-timers" #vanlife trip through the breathtakingly beautiful National Parks of California and Oregon. Wow - what a year!

Aside from traveling, we renovated our guest bathroom. Our house was built in 1958, so the original tiling was ... mature. We started with the intention of completing the entire renovation by ourselves. Too high of expectations, perhaps? An enormous thanks to my colleagues' husband, who helped us finish the drywall and tiling - what a legend! The guest bathroom is now sparkling, modern, and minimalist. It's our favorite room in the house!

BEFORE Bathroom Remodel

AFTER Bathroom Remodel

Now, we find ourselves in the depths of 2019. We spent New Years with family in Wagga Wagga, Australia, followed by an awe-inspiring trip to Thailand. I'm continuing to learn and work as a Speech Language Pathologist in the local school system. Greg is continuing to work as an I.T. Consultant for an international company. We attended a beautiful Greek/Italian wedding, and are completing some minor repair jobs around the house.

Bring on the rest of 2019!

Please feel free to reach out to me with any comments or questions regarding working and/or living abroad, transferring degrees/licenses internationally, travelling around America, or just to say "G'day!". I would LOVE to connect with more friendly faces. 😊

Have a great day,

Maree

The Traveling Career Woman

Hi folks,

Some of us want to be career women. Some of us want to be traveling women. But, what about those who want to work AND travel. Can we be both?

Today's post is inspired by an Instagram post from Ladies Gone Global. I cannot praise their post enough! Ladies Gone Global also has a website, if you want to check them out.

I admit that I have been victim to scrolling through my Instagram feed and have been "sucked in" to the idealistic fantasy that to be "free", you must give up everything (your house, your car, your work) and live a nomadic lifestyle, forever hopping from one place to the next. Lucky for me, my idealistic mind is complemented by my husband's realistic mind.

What does "freedom" mean to you? For me, being "free" is to be able to do what is best for YOU. To work, live, and travel how YOU want to. You can be inspired and influenced by others, but don't let yourself be controlled or pushed by them.

I have a home-base and work full-time, and travel during my work holidays and/or take the Paid Time Off I have earned to do so. Not sure how this would work for you? Here are my "tricks" for being able to pursue a work and travel life:

1. Take advantage of your work holidays/annual leave/paid vacation/PTO. I love planning trips away that coincide with my work holidays. Fortunately, my work follows the local School District calendar meaning I get time off for public holidays and portions of the school holidays.

Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA. August 2015. We visited the Smoky Mountains on my 5 day break in between my works' Summer Program ending and the new School Year beginning.  

2. Rent your spare room. This past month, my husband and I decided to rent our spare bedroom on AirBnB. Wow! If you have been considering doing this, you should do it. We have met some really interesting people and have been able to share stories with fellow-minded travelers who have stayed with us from all over the world. The money we made last month covered our mortgage, taxes, and electricity, meaning we can save more $$ from our regular 9-5 day jobs to put towards retirement and our "travel fund" for future adventures!

3. Take advantage of your smart phone's rewards. My husband has a Samsung Note5 smart phone, and uses Samsung Pay to pay for our groceries and other items. Just for using Samsung Pay (which is free) we received a $50 reward to use towards anything. So, we bought groceries and a bottle of Whiskey for FREE. Winning!

4. Sell stuff you don't need. We have sold a bunch of stuff that we don't need. I sell gently used clothes that I haven't worn in a while on Poshmark (a free App you can download on your smart phone). My husband sold a bunch of his University textbooks on Amazon. Other sites we have used in the past include Craigslist (USA), Gumtree (Australia), and eBay (USA and Australia).

5. Be mindful of your spending habits. I'm sure you've all heard this plenty of times before. But I urge you to really think about it. Do you really need that pretty dress in the shop window? Or, would you rather put that money towards a plane trip to The Bahamas, or towards your entry fee and hiking gear for The Grand Canyon?

6. Pack your lunch to work. Another phrase you've probably all heard before. But seriously, you save a lot in the long term. My husband and I usually cook a big dinner and then take the leftovers with us to work the next day. Super easy and the food usually tastes better the next day as the flavors have had time to soak in. Yum! Plus, home cooking is healthier for you than take out. Win win!

7. Don't forget to explore close to home! Traveling doesn't always mean buying an expensive plane ticket for a long flight to the other side of the world. It can simply mean getting in the car and driving to the town next door. When my husband and I feel burnt out at work, it's usually not that we're burnt out, but that we need to GET OUT. You can Google "hiking trails", "state parks", or "beaches" close to you and find new places to explore right outside your back door! Sometimes a quick weekend getaway is all you need to find inspiration to get through another week of work.

One Saturday in February 2017 we drove 1hr north to explore Ybor City, Fort De Soto Park, and fish off of the Skyway Bridge. Florida, U.S.A.

8. Travel Therapy. If you work in the allied health industry then you are in luck. In the USA, there are many agencies that offer travel therapy contracts all around the States. Assignments can be anywhere from 3 months to 12 months long. I have not yet been directly involved in this, however, work colleagues and online acquaintances have spoken about how they loved being able to explore different parts of the States and earn money at the same time.

What I do have direct experience with is the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) that enables the credentials of Speech Language Pathologist's trained in Australia, USA, Canada, Ireland, England, and New Zealand to be recognized and work in each other's respective countries. For more information about this, read my post titled Transferring SLP Credentials Internationally.

9. Moments and memories. When traveling, be present and in the moment. Take pictures. When we travel, we hardly ever buy things aside from transportation and accommodation (the necessities). We choose specific nights to eat out at restaurants, and then cook food where we are staying the remainder of the time. Our photos and memories are usually our most prized possessions from trips. Plus, you can make cool artwork out of your photos, such as canvas prints to display around your home, or coffee table books filled with photos and captions of your favorite places you have visited.

10. Use credit cards with frequent flyer rewards. There are many credit card companies that offer rewards that are geared towards the frequent traveler. Two cards that we use and have benefited greatly from are the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the United MileagePlus Explorer credit cards (both have a USD $95 year fee that is waved the first year). As a signup incentive, both cards offer a bonus mileage of 40-60 thousand miles/points, depending on the promotion they are running at the time.

The MileagePlus Explorer earns miles that can primarily be redeemed for award tickets on United flights while the Sapphire Preferred earns points that can be redeemed for statement credits or transferred to a number of travel partners, including United. In both cases, we are able to use the points and miles to purchase discounted airfares and travel accommodations.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA. August 2016. We hiked around Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks in Utah during my 5 day work holiday break. Perhaps my favorite trip we have taken to date! 

We love to explore and experience new things, both near and far. We also love our careers and the work we do. So, we combine the two the best we can. We work so we have money to travel. We travel so we have inspiration for work.

The bottom line is, do what's best for you. 😊

Cheers,

Maree

Winter Themed Speech

Hi folks,

I would like to share what I have been using in my therapy sessions to adapt my session objectives/goals to my kiddo's needs and make therapy FUN! 😄

Books:

1. Written by Maureen Wright. Illustrated by Stephen Gilpin.

2. Written and illustrated by Scott E. Franson.

1. Sneezy the Snowman has a great rhyming pattern, which after reading a couple of times, encouraged my kids to fill in the words. This book easily allows you to target predictions and asking different question types. It also targets a variety of language concepts, including hot/cold/melting, prepositions/location concepts, clothing items, counting/colors, and more.


2. Un-Brella - Firstly, bathing/swim suits in Winter? Only in Florida! Secondly, this is a wordless picture book that prompted so many language opportunities for my little ones. When reading books with words, my kiddo's would expect me to talk. However, when there were no words, they seemed to "take the lead" and talk about what was happening in the pictures. I would expand phrase/sentence length and ask questions as needed. There are many language concepts to target in this book: predictions; hypothetical questions; seasons; hot/cold.

Craft:

I always like to pair a book with a craft/play activity to generalize language to other contexts. The pictures below show how to make a snowman using glue, cotton balls, and colored paper. If working on articulation, the child can glue a snowball on their snowman for each production of the target sound. Language concepts addressed may include size concepts (e.g., big/bigger/biggest), time concepts (e.g., talk about what you did first, next, and last), and a range of adjectives and verbs. Venture outside to find some sticks to use as arms, and you're set!

Perhaps you want to make a "snowball toss". Draw snowman faces on Styrofoam cups and throw cotton balls into the cups for each target sound/word/language concept produced.

Or, you could make "fake snow" with baking soda and clear hair conditioner: a great sensory activity! The end result is light and fluffy, and is even cold to touch! You could hide target words/objects in the snow and play a game of hide-and-seek. You could address receptive language and following directions. The options are endless!

Hope you all have a creative week!

Maree

The Shy Shoe Shopper

Hi folks,

Here's a shout-out to teacher's and therapist's who are on their feet all day, every day!

The content of this post has a different "vibe" to my other posts - shopping for shoes. Some of you may squeal with delight when you hear this phrase. Others may dread the thought. I'm in the latter group. Ever since I was a little girl, I have always had long, skinny feet that have trouble fitting in shoes. My shoes would be filled with insoles, heel pads and slip guards. In addition, my feet "rolled in" badly so I had to find shoes that would fit my orthotics. My feet would often be in pain and blisters were frequent. I guess you could say I developed an aversion to shoes over time. If I could get away with wearing sneakers/joggers/runners all day, every day, I would. However, that is not realistic as sneakers are perceived to be too casual for some work environments, and of course, too casual for formal occasions like weddings. 😉

The other caveat is that I love wearing cute clothes! I find it fun to choose a different outfit each day for work that is cute yet comfortable. My outfits are on point, until it comes to adding shoes...

After 2 years working full-time in a preschool/outpatient facility, my poor feet are feeling the burden of walking, running, jumping, and playing hide-and-seek with toddlers and young children, all day, every day. I used to buy cheap $10 - $20 flats which soon wore out and became smelly. I did not want to be known as the "stinky Speechie". My mother believed in purchasing good quality running shoes when I was younger, as I was the "sporty type" all throughout school and wore running shoes almost daily. It has only just dawned on me that the shoes I wear to work everyday should be treated like those running shoes. For work. For travel. Even Dr. Seuss believed that feet are important:

"You have BRAINS in your HEAD.

You have FEET in your SHOES.

You can STEER yourself in 

any direction you CHOOSE."

~ Dr. Seuss

So, today, here I am at my computer Googling "comfortable shoes for work" and "recommended shoes for teachers". I am coming across many brand names I have never heard of before, but am slowly getting used to some of the lingo. So far, the best online site that someone told me about is 6pm.com, which I'm sure many of you have heard of. It looks like they stock a huge variety of brands that are selling at discounted prices, and shipping is FREE (yay!).

In the meantime, I am making a resolution to look after my feet and invest in a good quality pair of shoes for work and travel. I currently have a bunch of items in my cart, and am trying to narrow it down to two. Teacher's and therapist's, what shoes do you recommend? Are there any brands that you swear by?

Have a great week!

Maree

Meeting Dr. Temple Grandin

Hey, folks!

In December 2016 I was honored to meet Dr. Temple Grandin, an expert in Autism and Animal Science.  I attended a conference held by Future Horizons, Inc., in Tampa, Florida. Speakers included Dr. Temple Grandin who talked about Autism and her sensory-based world, Eustacia Cutler (Temple's mother) who talked about what it was like raising Temple, and Dr. Jed Baker who entertainingly talked about managing frustration and anxiety.

Meeting Dr. Temple Grandin

I have so much admiration and respect for Temple, not only for sharing her insights into Autism, but also for her research and design advancements in the livestock industry. I grew up on a cropping, sheep and cattle farm (a.k.a. "ranch" for my American readers) in Australia, and I know of a farming family who are successfully using Temple's cattle handling system on their farm in central N.S.W. Australia.

If you are a parent/guardian of a child with Autism, or a professional working with children who have Autism, I would highly recommended attending a Temple Grandin conference or reading one of her books. I am currently reading "The Autistic Brain" by Temple Grandin and Richard Panek (my signed copy!). Another book I would recommend to those who care for a non-verbal child on the Spectrum is "How Can I Talk if My Lips Don't Move?" by Tito Rajarshi Mukhopadhyay.

Overall, the conference and these books are highly informative and resourceful, and I am looking forward to carrying over some of the pertinent skills and information learnt to improve my treatment approaches and therapy outcomes.

Have a great week!

Maree




 

Update and Happy New Year!

Hey, folks!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! It has been quite some time since I last wrote a blog post, and what a better day to start writing than New Years Day, right?!  I thought I would update you on where life and work has taken me over the past two years.

At the beginning of 2015, I was awarded my national and state licensure to work as a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) in Florida, U.S.A. Here are the links to read about how to transfer degrees/licenses internationally and obtaining state licensure in America.

For the past two years I have been working in a preschool/outpatient facility, providing therapy for the communication and feeding needs of children with a range of complex communication needs. This role has been both challenging yet rewarding, and the experiences I have obtained have been immeasurable on both a professional and personal level.

My Permanent Residency status is now unconditional, and I am ready to apply for my U.S. Citizenship in March of 2017 so that I can become a Dual Citizen of Australia and America. As anyone who has moved internationally would know, the road to Citizenship is a long and grueling process, but I am hopeful the results will be all worth it! Here is the link to read about the different types of U.S. Visa's you need for work and travel.

My husband and I have been blessed to have had the opportunities/time to travel, both locally and internationally, over the past two years. Destinations have included China, South Korea, Australia, The Smoky Mountains (Tennessee), Key West (Florida), Zion National Park (Utah), Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah), and our most recent camping trip along the Southeast coast through the states of South Carolina and Georgia.  Despite back injuries, we have really taken a liking to hiking and exploring The Great Outdoors, which I hope we continue to do throughout the New Year.  

Please feel free to reach out to me with any comments or questions regarding working internationally, transferring degrees/licenses internationally, or just to say "hi". I would LOVE to connect with more friendly faces who are travelling along this weirdly enjoyable journey called "life".  In the meantime, as I reflect back on the year that was, here is my favorite photo from 2016:

Zion National Park, Utah, U.S.A. 

Sending peace, love, and happiness to you all in 2017,

Maree

Uniformity Across the States - You're Dreaming!

Hey, folks!

Today I feel the need to bring an issue into the light that I think many Speech Language Pathologist's (SLP's) across the nation would agree with.

My husband and I had considered moving elsewhere within the U.S., including the states of Texas and Idaho. I contacted their respective state licensing boards to receive clarification of acceptance via ASHA Certification (CCC's) in the absence of a U.S. graduate level education. To my disappointment, I never received a definitive response. Fortunately, Florida did accept my CCC's alone as an avenue for Florida state licensure.

America is funny that way – each state has its own rules and regulations. There is no such thing as uniformity across the nation.

Not all states will solely accept ASHA Certification, despite completion of the MRA program which proves Australian SLP qualification is the equivalent to that of an American graduate level education. This makes me sad as the world is becoming a platform for information- and resource-sharing on a global scale. Our profession needs to keep up with this current trend.

You can look up SLP license requirements on a state by state basis here.


This brings me to another very IMPORTANT point:

It's not only difficult for foreigners to gain state licensure. I have been in touch with many American citizens, who have completed their education within America yet have experienced great difficulty applying for state licensure, and in particular, transferring their license between states. Some of the stories include living on the borderline between two states but only being able to be licensed and work in one, and struggling to keep up with all of the differing requirements to maintain two, or multiple, state licenses.

Something needs to be done about this inconsistency. We need to advocate for our profession and increase awareness of this issue.

When I attended ASHA's Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida, last year, I was highly intrigued by a poster session presented by Shelly Chabon (PhD, CCC-SLP). She outlined the vast differences in renewal fees across the states, highlighting just one of the many drawbacks to maintaining multiple state licenses. Fortunately, Shelly has given me permission to show you two photographs that I took of her poster:

Presentation by Shelly Chabon (PhD, CCC-SLP). Photo taken by Maree Richardson. 

Presentation by Shelly Chabon (PhD, CCC-SLP). Photo taken by Maree Richardson. 

What have been some of your experiences applying for state licenses, transferring licenses interstate, or maintaining multiple state licenses?

Have a great week,

Maree

My Pathway to Florida Licensure

Hey folks!

In my second post (the main reason I started this blog) I talked about transferring my degree internationally and my path to gaining U.S. national certification as a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP). Today, I thought I would share in more detail how I obtained state licensure to work as an SLP within the state of Florida.

In Australia, registration with the national certifying board, Speech Pathology Australia (SPA), is not a requirement, nor does a license exist. Successful completion of intensive, undergraduate courses accredited by SPA is what's required to practice. When I moved to America, you can imagine how mind-blown I was when I was told that I not only needed to be registered on a national scale through the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association (ASHA), but also obtain a license to practice at state level. Whaaaattt?!


The Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology stipulates three possible pathways to obtaining state licensure:

1. Licensure by Evaluation of Credentials (i.e. Master's or doctoral degree and their accompaniments).
2. Licensure by Endorsement from Another State/Territory (i.e. holding a valid license or certificate in another U.S. state or territory). 
3. Licensure by Endorsement of Certificate of Clinical Competence by ASHA (i.e. currently holds a CCC from ASHA). 

I pursued route number 3. More information about all pathways to obtaining a license in the state of Florida can be found here and here.

The good news is that obtaining my state license was a quicker process than national certification. It was simply a matter of completing the application, paying fees, completing a couple of online courses, and submitting supporting documents. The application can be completed online, which can be found here.

As a foreign candidate who obtained my CCC's through the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), rather than undergoing U.S. graduate level education, I felt it was necessary to clarify that the Florida Board would accept my application upon completion of all the requirements specified in pathway number 3. Thus, I contacted the Florida Board in written form to discuss my situation as a foreign candidate.

Did I receive a definitive answer? Drum roll please...


YES!

I had in writing that the Florida Board would accept my application as long as I successfully completed all of the requirements set out in route number 3.

Each U.S. state holds its own set of requirements, some more strict than others. This is a very important topic which deserves a blog post of its own, so I will discuss this another time.

Who else out there has gone through a state licensure process? If so, which state? What did the process entail?


Have a great week,

Maree

Reaching Out on Social Media

Hello, world!

My train of thought today veers from the heavy topics to a more light-hearted one. 

I thought I would share my favorite social media platforms for reaching out to others who have moved/worked abroad or those who are thinking of doing so, primarily in the field of Speech Language Pathology (SLP). I will continue to add to this list as I discover more resources.

Facebook Groups:

• SLPs Going Abroad - a special shout out to this group, administered by an SLP who moved abroad. I have been fortunate to connect with some really awesome SLP's who are 'in the same boat as me' (i.e. have/are experiencing the trials and tribulations of transferring their degrees internationally). 
• Speech Pathologists at Large
• Travel Therapists

Twitter Hashtags:

• #MoveSLP - this hashtag was created by @WeSpeechies administrators.
• #WeSpeechies - this hashtag was created by Australian SLP's. The weekly chats have enabled me to connect with an informative group of SLP's from all over the world.
• #SLPeeps - this hashtag enabled me to link up with a supportive bunch of American SLP's, who I had the honor of meeting face-to-face during the 2014 ASHA Convention in Orlando, Florida. 

#SLPeeps at #ASHA14.   Photo credit to LessonPix.

Blogs:

I have stumbled across a few blogs about traveling SLP's within the United States (nationally):

• Keeping up with the Joneses
• The Ramblings of a Traveling Speech Therapist
• Talk it Out - Traveling Speech Therapist
• Wandering Ways with Travel Speech Therapy

I have not come across any blogs about SLP's traveling/working abroad (internationally). As I blindly navigated my way through this process, I thought this area needed some attention. That is why I started this blog.

An array of blogs and websites appear when you Google search ' working abroad'. I would love to hear from anyone in any line of work who has traveled and worked abroad. It is always inspirational to hear other people's stories.

What have you used to get in touch with people around the world?

Have a great day, 

Maree

Transferring SLP Credentials Internationally

Moving from Australia to America meant I had to endure the task of transferring my credentials internationally. Let me tell you, it was a rollercoaster ride! That’s why I started this blog. I hope to educate and inspire others about this uncharted territory. Here's how it all began...

My husband, Greg, and I met on a college campus tour at the University of Newcastle in Australia, about five years ago. Prior to leaving on his international exchange, Greg’s mother told him not to go falling in love with any Aussies. Whoops – sorry Mum! Needless to say, my father spat his mouthful of coffee out when he heard I was dating a ‘yank’. After four years of countless Skype calls with dodgy Internet connection, and plane flights that left us with shrunken wallets, we got married. As anyone else who has endured a long distance relationship would know, next came the landslide of questions, including the inevitable "Where are you going to live"? I find this question really difficult to answer. How can you pick just one place to settle in for the rest of your life? Sure, lots of couples get married, settle down and have kids. But my husband and I, we are a different kind. Currently, we live in a cute little house in Sarasota, Florida: a stone’s throw from Siesta Key Beach which was recently voted as the number 1 beach in America and number 14 in the world by Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice. Tough life, I know. ;)

Siesta Key Sunset. Image taken by Maree Richardson.

One of the biggest, and perhaps most interesting, hurdles to obtaining my certification in America was the difference between the tertiary education programs and qualification standards for SLPs in both countries. In Australia, completion of undergraduate courses accredited by Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) are required to practice. My course was a four year, intensive program with a strong emphasis on hands-on clinical work (practicums) from the very beginning. In America, a four year undergraduate degree and a two year graduate degree is required to practice with supervision, PLUS a Clinical Fellowship (CF) year to practice unsupervised. Does this mean that education standards are more advanced in the US? No! To put it into perspective, I acquired over 900 hours of clinical work throughout my four year program. For students who are educated in America, the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) stipulates that “a minimum of 400 clock hours of supervised clinical experience” during their graduate level studies are required for certification. Additionally, full-time study in Australia equates to 16 credit hours per semester, highlighting the intensity of the programs. Alternatively, full-time study in America constitutes 12 credit hours per semester. I can see the advantage to both programs. Students who are educated in America gain a broader understanding of general concepts, studying subjects outside of their main course during their undergraduate years. Those educated in Australia achieve the same result in a more time-efficient and cost-effective manner.

Initially, I set out planning to undergo a Master’s Degree, thinking that was the be-all and end-all to obtaining certification in America. I studied for and took the dreaded GRE, an exam that undergraduate students take for admission into a graduate level program. To cut a long story short, I was declined entry into a graduate degree program despite meeting all of the requirements. There has to be another way for an SLP to gain certification to work in the States.

Good news – THERE IS!

Foreign individuals are afforded an alternative path to certification. After some late night Google searches, my tech-savvy husband came across the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA). Little did I know that this document was going to become my Bible during the certification process.

What is the MRA?

In 2008, the MRA was signed by six internationally recognized professional Associations for the profession of Speech Language Pathology: United States; Canada; England; Ireland; New Zealand; and Australia. It became effective on January 1, 2009.  The MRA was designed in response to the need for increased international trade and mobility, and thus recognizes that Speech Language Pathologists who have gained acceptance and recognition from their home Association should also be recognized by other Associations. In other words, it recognizes that my intensive undergraduate degree, which provides full qualification to practice in Australia, is the equivalent of the United States’ requirement of graduate level education. You can find more info about it here.

As stated in the MRA, a SPA certified Speech Language Pathologist “will be granted” ASHA certification through the following procedure: 

• Obtain a letter of ‘good standing’ from home Association, SPA, attesting that I hold certification as a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist.
• Send application form and applicable fees to the new Association, ASHA.
• Sign a declaration of disclosure regarding any convictions for criminal offences.
• Sign a statement of consent to allow all disciplinary boards to share information.
• Show evidence of passing the ASHA-approved national certification examination.

I pursued this path and was awarded my Certificate of Clinical Competencies (CCC’s) in February, 2015 - happy days! As there was so little knowledge out there about the MRA and transferring credentials internationally, I took the round-a-bout way of getting to this point – lots of P.A.P.E.R.W.O.R.K. And phone calls. Oh, and did I mention fees? Yes, there were lots of fees to pay. Joy. Therefore, my wish is to assist others in achieving successful transition of their SLP international credentials in the most efficient and least stressful way possible (i.e. halve the paperwork, phones calls and fees). For any Aussies thinking of working as an SLP in the USA, the 5 dot points listed above are all you need to complete. Here is further explanation of each one:

• To obtain a letter of ‘good standing’ from SPA, you need to be awarded Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) status by participating in the Professional Self Regulation (PSR) program. This means accruing 20 points through professional development activities annually. You can find more info about it here. (This requirement is the reason why the certification process through the MRA takes one year to complete).
• The application form and fees, declaration of disclosure and signed statement of consent can be found here.
• The ASHA-approved national certification examination is the Speech-Language Pathology Praxis Exam (5331). You can find more info about it here.

The reason I’m focusing on Aussie SLPs moving or thinking of moving to America is because I have found it difficult to find any. I reached out on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook, and found quite a few SLPs who moved between the US, the UK, Canada and New Zealand, and even a few who made the move from America to Australia, but only a couple who have made the same transition as me.

I guess sometimes in life you have to take the path less traveled.

It should be noted that registration is not a requirement within Australia, nor does a license exist. Successful completion of undergraduate courses accredited by SPA are all that's required to practice. You can imagine how mind-blown I was when I was told that I not only needed to be registered on a national scale through ASHA, but also obtain a license to practice a state level. America is funny that way – each state has its own rules and regulations, there is no such thing as uniformity across the nation. The bad news is that not all states will solely accept ASHA Certification, some require completion of an accredited Master’s degree. This rules out some states I can work in (e.g. California). Fortunately, Florida stipulates three possible ways of obtaining state licensure, one being the acceptance of ASHA Certification. The good news is that obtaining a state license is a much quicker process than national certification. It’s simply a matter of filling out some forms, asking ASHA to kindly send proof of your CCC’s, and verification of any state or international licenses you hold elsewhere. Oh yes and I almost forgot, there’s a fee. ;)

You can look up requirements on a state by state basis here.

I would like to invite anyone who has had to start work in a new country to share their story, thoughts and insight. I'll also welcome all comments, questions and discussion from anyone who has moved, is thinking about moving, or those just interested in the topic.

Have a great day!

Maree

About Me

Hi!

I’m Maree and I’m an Ameristralian. For those of you who don’t follow Reddit: I was born in Australia, but currently live in America. I am an Australian citizen, and an American permanent resident. Basically, I have strong affiliations with both countries. Some of you may be wondering ‘Why would she move to America when she comes from the best country in the world?’ – Good question. All I can say is I met a boy and the rest is history.

I’m a farm girl at heart. I was raised on my family’s property near a small village called Tottenham, the closest town to the geographical centre of New South Wales, Australia. My family owned a mixed farming enterprise of livestock and cropping, primarily raising sheep and growing wheat. Experiencing droughts and floods, physical labour and the outdoors, I feel this lifestyle was character-building and promoted self-sufficiency. A well-rounded education was valued in my family, so my brother and I were sent to boarding school in Orange, New South Wales, Australia. Living away from home from the age of 12 was no mean feat, but I feel lucky to have been bestowed such a privilege. My independence grew fourfold and I made lifelong friendships, many who I treasure so dearly to this day. From there I moved even further away from home to study at the University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. I met a handsome American exchange student named Greg during Orientation Week, who I now proudly call my husband. Once I completed my University studies, graduating as a Speech Language Pathologist, my husband and I moved to Sarasota, Florida, USA. This was a huge step for a small town country gal who had never been on a plane before meeting her husband. A wise man once told us that if you stuck a pole from Newcastle, Australia directly through the centre of the earth it would come out the other side in Tallahassee, Florida, USA. Seriously, I could not live any farther from home if I tried. The moon, perhaps?! 

Currently, my husband works as an IT Consultant, which has taken him on many adventures around the world (some of which I have got to go on!). Recently certified as a Speech Language Pathologist in America, I’m about to begin my first 'Speechie' job at an early intervention centre. I’m excited to discover what this next chapter of my life will bring.

Have a great day!

Maree

Greg and Maree.  Photo credit to Cindy Habel Photography.